
EMPIREĀ® Zoysia
Homeowner Maintenance Guide

Drought Tough

Disease Resistant

Soft Texture

Wear Tolerant
Fall Maintenance Video
Seasonal Guides for Your EMPIREĀ® Zoysia Maintenance
FALL

Mowing
During the fall, mowing will occur less oftenākeeping your EMPIRE slightly higher than the regular 1ā2 inch height will encourage deeper root growth which helps it survive in colder temperatures and during winter dormancy.

Watering
Water less as temperatures dropātoo much water will lead to disease. Water to prevent drought stress while grass is actively growing and after the beginning stages of dormancy to prevent dehydration.

Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying theĀ Lawnifiās Fall Fertilizer BoxĀ or applyĀ Lawnifi FoundationĀ once every three months.

Weed Control
Apply pre-emergent herbicides to control winter annual and perennial weeds likeĀ chickweed,Ā henbit,Ā Poa annua or purple deadnettle. Apply post-emergent herbicides only when weeds are present.

Insect Control
Check for and control anyĀ white grubs. Treat with an insecticide if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.

Fungus Control
If large patch is a common problem in your EMPIRE, apply a fungicide at a preventative rate. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Consider mapping those areas because fungicide treatment can be expensive.
Fall Products
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SPRING

Mowing
If you have a mature, established EMPIRE Zoysia grass lawn, drop your mower a notch and give your lawn a ābuzz-cutā for the first mow of the springĀ with aĀ rotary mowerĀ that has aĀ sharpened blade. Bag up all the material to keep excess clippings from clumping or causing disease. Check out our Sod University article on theĀ First Mow of the Spring for EMPIREĀ for more details.
After your initial ābuzz-cut,ā begin mowing your zoysia grass at the height of 1ā2 inches. You can return to spreading your mower clippings on the lawn at this time.

Watering
Donāt overwater. EMPIRE needs about 1 inch of water a week considering rainfall. If you apply any granular fertilizer or control product, you will need to water it in. This is a sufficient amount of water for the week. Overwatering may promote disease outbreak. Conduct an irrigation auditĀ to evaluate how much water is being delivered to different areas of your lawn.

Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn during the spring season by applying Lawnifi Foundation, a granular fertilizer, or the Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box.

Weed Control
Apply a pre-emergent herbicide when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent summer annual weeds likeĀ crabgrassĀ andĀ goosegrassĀ from plaguing your lawn and garden. Apply post-emergent herbicides in May as needed to control summer annual and perennial broadleaf weeds likeĀ white clover, knotweed,Ā spurgeĀ and lespedeza. Products containing multiple broadleaf active ingredients are more effective in controlling broadleaf weeds.

Insect Control
Apply a broad-spectrum insecticide to prevent spring insects from appearing or to control any current spring insects likeĀ billbugsĀ orĀ white grubs. If you see any white grubs, apply a systemic insecticide like Scotts GrubEx or Dylox 6.2 Granular Insecticide.

Fungus Control
Apply a systemic fungicide atĀ a preventive rate to keep disease from taking hold of your lawn. You may begin to see disease outbreaks as your EMPIRE begins to green up. Do not apply fertilizer until youāve applied a systemic fungicide at a curative rate and your grass has recovered.
Spring Products
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SUMMER

Mowing
EMPIRE Zoysiaās mowing heights during the summer generally range from about 1ā2 inches. When mowing during the summer, never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at a time. If you remove more than that, you will stress the grass and it may go brown for a short time. Taller blades provide more shade for your root system to stay cool and retain moisture during the hot summer days. If you are returning from vacation, you may have to mow multiple times to get the grass back to the desired height. Wait about 3ā5 days between each mowing.

Watering
Do not overwater the grass. EMPIRE only needs about 1 inch of water weekly. Water for longer periods of time, less frequently and in the early morning hours. Take rainfall into consideration.

Fertilization
For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the summer season by applying theĀ Lawnifiās Summer Fertilizer BoxĀ or applyĀ Lawnifi FoundationĀ once every three months.

Insect Control
Check for and control any hunting billbugs. ApplyĀ Merit 0.5G, Bifen XTS or Bifen L/P to treat them if they are currently an issue. If you use a granular product, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Calculate that watering into your weekly watering amount. Other insects to look out for include mole crickets,Ā grub wormsĀ andĀ spittlebugs.

Fungus Control
Disease outbreaks in EMPIRE are uncommon at this time. Treat with a broad-spectrum fungicide likeĀ HeritageĀ if needed. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Calculate that watering into your weekly watering amount.
Summer Products
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A Word of Caution for Newly Sodded Lawns
A pre-emergent contains a chemical that prevents a weed from putting down roots. Because it is a root inhibitor, it can also negatively affect your new lawn, which is trying to establish itself by putting down roots. If you successfully killed and removed your old lawn, including all the weeds in it, your newly sodded lawn should have relatively few weeds. It is suggested that you hand pick weeds out of your newly sodded lawn for the first season.